Playing like the pros

The Stadium Village adds new replica holes

The water was everywhere, glistening around the island hole in the mid-day sun. The flagstick, perilously positioned on the right front of the green, swayed slightly in the breeze.

Then Marissa and Lauren Marringer giggled when their daddy Glenn wagged his behind as he lined up for the tee shot.

No, a father and his daughters didn't break through the ropes and hijack the tee box on No. 17 at TPC Sawgrass.

The Marringers, who live near Nease High School, were just one of many fans who were playing the replica of No. 17 at The Players Championship's newest attraction: The Stadium Village.

After the success of the UBS 17th Challenge hole around 40,000 fans visited the replica of the most famous hole at TPC Sawgrass over the last two years tournament officials decided to beef it up. This year, they moved the Challenge hole to a prime location close to the clubhouse.

Then, in order to highlight the three finishing holes on the course, they added replicas of No. 16 and No. 18 to the fun. The 16th hole replica is three virtual screens that allow fans to imitate famous shots from Players past from the par 5 hole, including Davis Love III's shot from the pine straw during his 2003 victory.

On No. 18, a perfect copy of the putting green was created so fans can try the winning putts from 2005 champ and Ponte Vedra Beach resident Fred Funk, 2004 winner Adam Scott and 1997 and 1991 winner Steve Elkington.

In addition to the replica holes, the Tour turned the area into a pavilion including concessions, a massive merchandise store and places to just hang out and watch the action on a massive video screen.

The tournament hasn't even started yet, and the Stadium Village has already become extremely popular with the fans.

"It's been great," said Ron Cross, executive director of the Players. "We've had such positive comments about it so far. We've hosted some special events there already this week and those were great. It's really a great thing for the tournament."

Even on Wednesday, fans were already piling up to try all three of the replicas.

While 7-year-old Marissa and 4-year-old Lauren watched with glee, daddy dropped his first shot right into the center of the green.

"Aim for the center, just like the pros tell you to do," he laughed. "I own this course."

The replica of No. 17 is an impressive sight. The green is about 950 square feet, one-third of its actual size. The contours have been meticulously replicated, down to the little sand trap in the front right.

The tee shot is 33 yards from the tee to the center of the green. And of course, it's all protected by a lake that's 52 feet wide by 116 feet long. It took workers several days to fill the lake, and in total it holds around 90,000 gallons.

And lots of golf balls.

Just because the replica looks fun, doesn't mean it's easy. UBS estimates that 25,000 tee shots were taken there in 2006-07. Only 4,500 -- 18 percent -- actually made the green.

That's probably why the prizes are so nice. If a fan gets a hole-in-one there, he will receive an iPod Touch. The fan closest to the hole will earn a $500 Callaway gift card. And everyone who lands it safely on the green gets a free sleeve of Callaway golf balls.

The free golf balls made Marringer smile. But that was nothing compared to the looks on his daughters' faces.

"They're having a great time out here," he said. "It's a pretty cool spot."